The rising prices and decreasing supply of fossil fuels are providing the impetus for many homeowners to make the switch to solar power systems.  Homemade solar panels are surprisingly easy to build, and can save you a lot of money in comparison to commercially available units.

The workhorses of any solar power system are the solar cells, which handle the task of turning sunlight into energy.  Solar cells perform differently depending on how they’re connected. They are able to provide just about any combination of voltage and current, and so all you need to do is decide what kind of power you need before getting started.

The two basic kinds of solar cells available offer different levels of production.  Monocrystalline solar cells offer the highest level of efficiency currently available.  They’re also generally the most durable.  Their durability makes them a superior value in most cases, even though they generally cost a bit more than the alternative.  The alternative is the polycrystalline cell, which is comprised of a collection of smaller crystals.  Polycrystallline cells aren’t as efficient, but they are more affordable.

Solar cells must be connected together correctly in order to output the proper voltage and current.

There are many DIY solar panel instructions available, and most of these will include wiring diagrams.  The diagrams should always be followed closely.  You need to ensure that the solar cells will all be facing the exact same direction; this can be done by mounting them on a piece of thick plywood.  You can determine how large the backing board needs to be by laying out the cells as shown in the wiring diagram.  Once the solar cells are mounted, solder the wires and join the cells as shown in the wiring diagram.  The wires have to be secured neatly to the backing board so that they don’t block any sunlight.  The next step is to expose the panel to the sun and use a meter to verify the voltage to make sure that it’s at the level you expected.  Check your wiring if there are any discrepancies.  Once you’ve got the output you need, you can attach sides and a transparent front part to the backing board. Use weatherproof caulking to ensure that the enclosure is tight enough to withstand the elements.

The ideal spot for your new solar panel is one with plenty of sun exposure.  The panel will produce DC electricity, which can be used to charge batteries or power certain small appliances.  When you need AC power, you can obtain it by using a small inverter.

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